Acting Foundations 1: Core Technique (Intro to Scene Study)

Our goal as actors is to create another living, breathing human being and respond to specific circumstances in the moment.  The Core is an 8-week acting intensive that vigorously investigates acting theory and technique and then applies that technique to individual, solo work and partnered scenes.  

The Core is: 

• Acting Technique Theory and application of theory through solo exercises and partnered scenes.
• Focus on developing a process that will work in any acting medium or situation.
• Heavy emphasis on script analysis and role preparation/process.
• This class works inside out.
• Contemporary material.
• Solo exercises and partnered scenes.
• Introduction/pre-requisite to Scene Study.
  

The Core gives you a solid technique – a foundation – a process – which then allows you to be present and then to play.  The technique in the Core is based on Uta Hagen’s work, which is derived from human behavior and observation.  

Script Analysis includes mining the text, asking the right questions and how specificity vs generality can deepen your work.

Rehearsal tactics and best practices include physical destination vs. blocking, using action verbs - the key to flexible, directable actors, and finding and playing the objective, which is imperative to active, conflicted scenes.  Plus, it includes active listening and moment to moment work with your partner.

Character development includes how bio, backstory, and inner objects help you find the role in you.

By understanding and applying these techniques, actors will leave the Core with a solid foundation, ready for the next step in their individual acting journeys.  

Students will work individually and will be partnered up; work and reading outside the class is required.  The intensive class is the pre-requisite for entry into the Scene Study classes. 

24 HOURS OF CLASS!
3-hour class once a week for 8 weeks.
Maximum 14 students.

THIS CLASS IS OFFERED TWO-THREE TIMES A YEAR, typically on Wednesday nights.

BOOKS:

Required: Uta Hagen’s A CHALLENGE FOR THE ACTOR.  (Read Pages 1-50 prior to first class).

Optional: Richard Boleslavsky’s ACTING: THE FIRST SIX LESSONS.

Optional: Carol Rosenfeld’s ACTING AND LIVING IN DISCOVERY- A WORKBOOK FOR THE ACTOR

Optional: Howard Fine’s FINE ON ACTING: A VISION FOR THE CRAFT